Vehicle jack



July 1, 1958 L. c. SMALLEY 2,841,247

VEHICLE JACK Filed May 25, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lo 3o 12 xf les 29 2el2 5o se 24 1 |32 66 l2 "0 5654 sa ua Qvslooo 88 |30/ 74 36 |04 94 |4022 le "6 78 |os\ \6\8 'K5 3 I L l |l 'l I I II l' l f I \40 86o es I 2,/le -`|38 52 5 a 6o` 2 es "24 2a 7o I4 so |38 l' l 29 78 g4 32 lsa a236 44 se |34 H2 "o o8 8 I4 74 75 3o 56 54 loo se 40 es 1N VENTOR LOUISCHARLES SMALLEY` BY WM July l, 1958 l 1 c. sMALLEY 2,841,247

VEHICLE JACK Filed May 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LOUIS CHARLESSMALLEY BY f ATTORNEY L. C. SMALLEY July 1, 19.58

VEHICLE JACK s sheets-sheet 3 Filed May 25, 1954 INVENTOR LOUIS CHARLESSMA LLEY BY ATTORNEY ili'i Paten-ted July 1, 1958 vnnrcrin niort LouisCharles Smaliey, Yorir, Pa., assigner to Carliit Company, Inc., York,Pa., a corporation of lennsyil Vania Appiieation /iay 25, i954, SeriaiNo. @Lidl 1s Claims. (ci. 1er-asi) This invention relates toimprovements in a vehicle jack and, more particularly, to a vehicle jackwhich preferably is portable and positionable longitudinally beneath avehicle and is operable to raise and lower a vehicle by engaging theframe thereof, whereby when said vehicle is raised, the axles and wheelsthereof are freely suspendable relative to said frame.

Various kinds of vehicle jacks are persently in use for purposes ofraising and lowering an entire vehicle by engaging directly eitherA thewheels of said vehicle or the front and rear axles of the vehicle. Whena vehicle is raised by such means, the same relative positions of thewheels to the body and frame is maintained regardless of whether thejack is elevated or not. Modern car de signs include deep skirtedfenders and, in some instances, additional fender inserts are detachablysecured to rear fenders particularly so as to cover the major portion ofthe rear wheels of the vehicle. Changing tires on such vehicles,mounting tire chains on the rear wheels thereof, fender repair, orrepairing brakes or wheels, constitutes a serious problem on such modernvehicles in that the wheels and tires, as well as the inner surfaces ofthe fenders, are quite inaccessible when using conventional jacks ofeither the portable or stationary service-station type.

Since the advent of this type of fender design, so-called bumper jackshave come into use in order that the body and fender of a vehicle mightbe elevated relative to any individual wheel and tire so as to renderthe latter readily accessible for either changing the tire and wheel ormounting a tire chain thereon, for example. Bumper jacks, however,sometimes tend to either bend or' `break the bumper supporting arms.Under some circumstances, the frame and body of the vehicle may be moreor less sprung or twisted when using such a bumper jack, and

even windshields have been cracked due to such distortion of the frameand body. Y

To obviate the foregoing difficulties, it is the principal object of thepresent invention to provide a vehicle jack which is engageable eitherselectively or simultaneously directly with the front end member of avehicle frame and/ or the rearward portion of the side members of theframe for purposes of elevating the frame and body, independently of thewheels, thereby permitting free suspension of the axles and wheels ofthe vehicle without skewing, twisting or distorting the frame or body ofthe vehicle in any way.

It is another object of the invention to provide a jack of this naturewhich readily is portable while being connected to or disconnected froma source of uid pressure, such as air or other power means, whereby thejack may accurately be positioned beneath a vehicle with a minimum ofeffort.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a jack of the typedescribed in the foregoing objects with simple and effective front andrear jack units, at least one of which is adjustable longitudinally ofthe jack assembly and relative to the other jack unit, whereby the jackmay readily be accommodated to a considerable range of different lengthsof vehicles.

One other object of the invention is to provide on the rear jack unit ofthe assembly described in the foregoing auxiliary supporting memberswhich are movable transversely relative to the frame of a vehicle inorder to permit said auxiliary supporting members to engage directlyfrom below the rearward portions of the side members of the vehicleframe, whereby said jack unit can elevate the frame directly and therebypermit free suspension of the rear axle and wheels of the vehicle whenthe rear end of the vehicle frame and body is elevated by said jackunit, the design of said auxiliary members being such that they readilyengage the vehicle frame members at all degrees of elevation of thevehicle within the limits of the jack.

In addition to the foregoing object, it is still a further object of theinvention to provide a front jack unit in the aforementioned jackassembly, said front jack unit being ,I engageable preferably centrallywith the front portion or member of a vehicle frame relative to whichthe front axles of so-called knee action front vehicle assemblies areindividually movable, whereby said front axles and the wheels thereonmay freely'be suspended from the frame of a vehicle when said front jackunit is operated to eievate the front end of said vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained,portable jack assembly including front and rear jack units which arepreferably operated by huid pressure power means either selectively orin unison for purposes of raising either the front or rear ends of avehicle, as desired, or simultaneously for raising both ends of saidvehicle, said jack assembly being rugged, durable and relatively simple,as well as quickly and accurately positionable beneath a vehicle, andsafety means preferably are included to releasably latch either jackunit in elevated position. A

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as otherobjects thereof, are set forth in the following speciication andillustrated in the drawings cornprising part of the same.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a jack assembly embodying the principlesof the present invention and illustrating the jack units disposed ininoperative positions.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the jack assembly illustrated in Fig. 1,part of the structure being broken away so as better to illustratedetails of the mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the jack assembly shown in Figs. l and 2but illustrating the front and rear jack units in elevated positions.

F ig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective elevation of a portion of the frontjack unit in elevated positions, this view being on a larger scale thanthat used in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the rear jackunit and illustrating, in solid and broken lines, respectively,retracted and extended positions of auxiliary supporting member of saidrear jack unit.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 respectively are side elevations showing the jackassembly in operative positions relative to a vehicle, the iirst ofthese gures showing both the front and rear ends of the vehicleelevated, Fig. 7 showing only the rear end elevated, and Fig. 8 showingonly the front end elevated.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3, partly broken away, toillustrate details of latching mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away, showing thefront casters which support the frame of the jack assembly.

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application SerialNo. 345,588, tiled March 30, 1953,

vcurved ras fully shown in Fig. 2. side framemembers 12 and 14 areconnected by a Vrear now abandoned. The jack assembly comprising thesubjectY matter of the present invention embodies all of the basicprinciples of the jack assembly vdescribed and claimedin said'pending-application. Since the tiling of said application however ithas been found that a num- ;ber of relinementsland changesadvantageously could be made in v'arious'of'the. units and-elements ofthe jack assembly whichresultin decreasing the cost. of manufactoring,Yimproving the operation thereofY as well as the fappearane,I minimizingthe weight4 of the 'assemblyrand vSimplifying the construction thereof.`Thus,lto simplify :the illustration and description of theinvention, anexem- -plar'y jack .assemblyV has been Yillustrated the drawings Landlisdescribed hereinafter which includes vmost of the Yinventive conceptsof the exemplary jackillustrated and described in saidV aforementionedapplication but also ,including the` refinements which constitutechanges in and additions to the jack assembly described and illustratedin Ysaid application. n ,l

1 .Referringto the. drawings, and particularly Figs, l

comprises side framexmernbers 12 and 14 which are and ' 2', the jackVassembly 10 embodying the present invention aannam 'y spaced apartinparallel manner in-their rearward portions but are .bent inwardlyattheir forward portions so as to producea somewhatfpointedffront end onthe assembly, the Yforward extremity. 15 of the frame being VThe'rearends of the frame member 18. All of the framemembers conveniently maybeVformed by channel sections and connected preferably by welding.Extending between the side chan- Snel members 12` and 14 is aYcross-member 2t? which, similarly to Vthe frame members, preferably isa channel member. This may be secured by welding, riveting or'otherwiseat its ends to said side frame members.

' Extending, between the side' Vframe members 12. and 14 adjacent4 therear ends thereof is an axle-like bar or rod 22.Y Preferably, the rodi22 is fixed at its ends to said side .frame members and a pair ofwheels`24 are rotatably supported on the rod Vor axle 22.V A pair-ofcaster wheelsY 26.also are supported by the frame members Y12 and 14, orany othersuitableportion of the frame, it being understood that'thecaster wheels 26 are disposed'adjacent op'- posite sides of the framemembers and, preferably, the caster wheels 26 are pivoted for movementabout vertical axes so as tofacilitate thepositioningof Ythe jackassembly vbeneatha vehicle at any desired position. l

Movement and manipulation ofthervehicle assembly 10V is achievedpreferably. by a suitable handle 2S which,V

'for example, niaybe'forrnedv from pipe or similar material andttedintoso'ckets29 which extend forwardly Vand upwardly 'andare Lfixed tothe side frame'members 12 and 14. Thus,.when a vehiclelis'driv'enoverthe jackv 10, for example from the rear ofthe'jack, and it is desiredto. drive'the vehicle from .theforward end of the jack, the handle ZS'isso shaped that itV may be removed easilyfromthe jack sockets 29 topermit such driving of the vehicle. It will. be understood from theforegoing that the width of the entire jack assembly 10 is narrowerthauthe distance betweenthe wheels of any vehicle to beelevated thereby.Likewise, any lateral projections on said assembly, particularly whenretracted, 'are so dimensioned as notto engage therwl'leelsV of avehicle when the vehicle and jack are being positioned relative to'eachother 4forrelevationi `of the'vehicle.A Hence, normally no part of thejack assembly, Iother than Athe front end thereof, extends beyond theouter boundaries of Va vehicle when relatively Ypositioned as aforesaid.l

Preferably, the caster wheels24'and 26' project a minir'niiir'idistancebelow the`botto'm fof ith'e'fr'arne members of 4'the assembly 10 so thatthe jackassembly may be ypositioned readily beneath modernvehicles'whichareso constructed that relatively little distance is.providedbetween the under surfaces and theY roadway. 'A Y Y Theassembly 10 comprises several jack units'best illuslll.

Vtrated in Figs. 2 and 3. K K W generally as 30, while the front unit isindicated 32. The

' lating ring 56.

The rear jack unit 30 constitutes va forward plate niem-V ber 3aprovided with reinforcing side flanges or links 36.

YThe. lower end, or left-handend as viewed in Figf2, of the plate member34 is'connected-to a transversefsleeve through which an axle rotatablyextends andV rollers 40 are rotatably mounted on opposite ends Vof saidaxle and` are positioned for rolling guided movement within guidechannels-42 disposed in and supported by each frame members 12 and 14.

YThe Vopposite o rupper edgeofyplate 3'4ghas a notch 44. extending-thereinto, saidY notch', when the. rear jack unitV 3) is elevated,`accommodating'part of kthefrunning or driving mechanism-fof a vehiclesuch asthedifferential, driveshaft,v or torque tube, as the case Vmaybe, when said vehicle is elevated by the jack assembly.: Said upper endof thepplate member `34, adjacent opposite ends of the notch V44comprise projectionsL tol Vwhich are .fixedV axially aligned guidesleeve sections 48 which, Vfor exam- Y ple, are welded to the plate 34andthe flanges ,or links 36, The Vsleeves 48 extend in Dpposite'directions transversely to longitudinal axis ofthe Vjack assembly 10.The side frame members 12 and 14 are provided with suitable notches 50which arel for` purposes to V,be described. I

A pair of preferably cylindrical auxiliary `frame engageable andsupportingmembersSZ are disposed so as to be longitudinally slidablewithin'the guidevsleeve sections 46. The outer extremity of ,eachr ofthese, auxiliary. supporting members 52 is providedwitha flange`54wanday manipu- While the -ljack'n assembly is' being positioned beneath avehicle,ytheauxiliarysupporting members 52 usually aredisposedQ-,in-jcheir retracted positions shown in Fig. 3 and' also, infull. lines, in lFig.,5. However, after the jack assembly 10 is disposedin desired position beneath a vehicle, the auxiliary supporting members52 may be engaged by any suitable redder-bar, orV

even manually, `at the ring 756 for example, and-the members 52 aremoved longitudinally outward-so as Vtodispose the outer flanged end :ofithe Ysupporting members Y' 52 beneath the rearward portionsoffthe sidefr ame mem-z bers 57 of a vehicle. The anges V54" also will aid( inproperly positioning the auxiliary supportiugrmembers V52 relative tosaid side frame members of the vehicle. Fur.-

ther, the fit between the auxiliary supporting members 52 and thesupporting and vguidersleeve sections 48 therefor preferably isrelatively close.'r y y K The rear jack unit 30 valso includes' a pairof links 58 which are apertured at one end to receive the axle 22 forpivotal supportthereby and the opposite ends thereof have The sleevesalso slidably receive'the auxiliary supporting sleeve sections 60 weldedor otherwise fixed thereto.

members 52, these supporting members also constituting hinge pintleswhich connect the sleeve sections 48V and 60 for relatively pivotalmovement about common axes.'

Extending between and connected to the links 58 isY Y' a bracing plate62 which is notched to receive the cast-V Y ers 24 arid also the upperedge thereof, when considered in elevated position, hasv ajnotch 64therein which, like V44, receives part of the-'driving mechanism of iavehicle such as the`differential, torque` tube or the like when the Ysame is elevatedby the jack unit. 'A sleeve 65, attached to the outeredge of plate 62 by welding 4or 4otherwise receives axle 22 whichpivotally supports rplate'z ,and link S8 relative to -the lframe member12 and 14. AThe upper portions ofplate V6?, comprise .projections'to'which sleeve sections 63 aresecured vbywweldingor otherwise, whereby thesleeve sections 60 and 63- are fixed to plate ofthe side.'

62 and are axially aligned with and receive therebetween sleeve sections48 which are xed relative to plate 34.

Thus, the inner ends of auxiliary supporting members 52 are slidableinto the spaces between the projections on the upper portions of plates34 and 62, supported within the axially aligned sleeve sections 48, 60and 63 which cooperate to form composite guiding and support ing meansfor members 52, the assembly constituting hingedly connected,toggle-like plate members movable from substantially ilat positions intoelevated, A-shaped formation. The supporting members 52 are disposed atthe `apex of the rear jack unit 30.

A pair of operating, uid pressure ,cylinders 66 are xed at one end ofthe cross-member as clearly shown in Fig. 2. While it is within thepurview of the invention that the cylinders 66 may be arranged tooperate by use of hydraulic uid, it is preferred to utilize air underpressure in view of the ready availability of the same in servicestations, garages, and the like. Hence in the present illustration, itwill be understood that the cylinders 66 are designed to operate by airpressure. Thus, the forward ends of said cylinders have air pressureconduits 68 connected thereto, said conduits extending to an operatingvalve 70 which controls the rear jack unit 3d, there also being aconduit, not shown, between the valve 70 and inlet port 72 which isconnectable to a source of compressed air if this type of uid is used asthe operating medium for the jack unit. l

Projecting rearwardly from each of the cylinders 66 is a piston rod 74,the outer ends of said rod being connected to sleeves 75 which surroundthe axle for rollers 40. Said cylinders act in unison so as to actuatethe piston rods 741 in unison adjacent opposite ends of the sleeve 38.When air, for example, under pressure is introduced into the outer endsof cylinders 66, the sleeve 38 and lower edge of plate 34 are movedrearwardly so as to elevate the sleeves 4S, 66 and 63, as well as theauxiliary supporting members 52 into engagement with the rearwardportions of the side frame members 57 of a vehicle so as to elevate thesame independently of the rear wheels and axle thereof. Such elevationoccurs by moving the plate 34 relative to the links 58 and 4bracingplate 62, these plates assuming an A-shape as clearly shown in Figs. 3and 5 particularly. The plates 34 and o?. readily brace the guidesleeves and auxiliary supporting members S2 against lateral downw-ardmovement relative to the jack assembly 1d, thereby preventing downwardmovement of the vehicle supported thereby.

When it is desired to lower the rearward end of the vehicle, it is onlynecessary to manipulate the control valve 70 which preferably is of suchnature as to permit the compressed air acting against the pistons withinthe cylinder 66 to be discharged to atmosphere and the weight of thevehicle, as well as the jack elements per se, will operate to lower therear jack unit to the position of the t components thereof illustratedin Fig. l. Such lowering movement will take place smoothly and withoutany undue jar to the vehicle, especially if the control valve 7 ismanipulated suitably. The members 52 are received Within the notches S0when in such lowered position.

Extending longitudinally of the jack assembly 16 between thecross-member 29 and the forward end of the frame structure is a pair ofparallel guide channels 76 which preferably are formed from conventionalchannel irons, thereby minimizing expense. The ends of these channelsmay be secured to the forward ends of the side frame members 12 and 14,as well as the cross-member 2Q, by riveting, welding, or otherwise, Theoperating cylinders 66 preferably are disposed compactly between theside frame members 12 and 14 and said longitudinal guide channels 76.The longitudinal guide channels 76 support the front jack unit 32 forindependent longitudinally slidable movement relative to the rear jackunit 30. The front jack unit 32 essentially comprises side frame members78, which, at their ends, are connected by end lbars 80 and 82. The endbars Sil and S2 preferably are' in the nature of axles and extend beyondthe side members 78 so as to rotatably support rollers or casters S4thereon for rolling movement within the guide channels 76. Thus, therollers @d permit free slidable or rotatable movement, preferably of ananti-friction nature, of the front jack unit 32 relative to the guidechannels 76 as well as the main frame of the jack assembly 1G. By sucharrangement, after the jack assembly 1d has been positioned relative toa vehicle so as to dispose the rear jack unit 3th in suitable positionbeneath such vehicle, the front jack unit 32 then manually may readilybe adjust- `ed or positioned so as to be disposed suitably relative tothe front frame member, for example, of a vehicle.

The side members '7S conveniently may be formed from suitable platematerial such as steel sheet stock and the same have longitudinal slots86 therein for purposes to be described. The jack or elevating membersof the front jack unit 32 comprise articulated links 3% which are spacedapart in a transverse direction as best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.Said links, at their lower ends, are spaced apart a greater distancethan at the top and either are iixed or pivotally connected to end baror axle S2; Preferably, for purposes of strength, the links Se include across-brace 90 which is welded at its ends to links A pair of forwardlinks 94, similar to links 8S, are' connected to a cross-brace 96 andalso are pivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to pintles 18uwhich preferably extend from opposite sides of a counterweighted shoe162, the latter being engageable with the front frame member of avehicle so as to contact a minimum lengthwise portion of said frame,thus perrm'tting maximum free suspension of the front wheels of thevehicle when the front end thereof is elevated.

Suitably xed at its forward end to the end bar of the front jack unit 32 is a duid pressure actuated cylinder 164. A piston rod 1116 projectsrearwardly from said cylinder and is connected to a cross-head 193which, if desired, may constitute a bar.

The opposite ends of the cross-head 103 are connected to connectinglinks which extend and are pivotally connected to pintles 112, thelatter projecting guidably through the slots 36 for rotatably supportingguide rollers 114. on the outer ends thereof. This construction is bestillustrated in Fig. 4. Thus it will be seen that the guide rollers 114support and -guide the lower ends of the forward links 95: of the frontjack unit 32 as well'as the forward ends of the connecting links 11u.

The auxiliary frame comprising side members 7S which contain slots 86constitute effective means for guiding the pintles 112 on which theguide rollers 114 are rotatably supported. From Figs. 3 and 4, it willbe seen that the pintles 112 extend through the slots S6 in said sidemembers, whereby the rollers V114; move in the same longitudinal guidechannel 76 which rotatably supports the rollers or casters 84 of saidauxiliary frame. Thus, no additional guide means are required for guiderollers 114 which control the position of the lower ends of the forwardlinks 94 of the front jack unit 32. The guide rollers 114- alsostabilize the operation of the piston rod 106 which is connected to thecross-head 16S and connecting links 110. The forward end of the cylinder1de is connected by a flexible conduit 115 to control valve 118 for thefront jack unit 32. The control valve 118 is disposed in a conduit, notshown, between the inlet port 72 and the flexible conduit 116. Also, thevalve 118 is similar to the valve 7G in that, when it is desired tolower the jack unit, the handle of the valve is moved to a positionwherein the air under pressure within the cylinder 104 is discharged tothe atmosphere.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the valves'70 and 118 controlthe operation of the front and rear jack units after the latter havebeen positioned suitably relative to the rearward portions of the sideframe members and thegfront frame member of a vehicle. Either valvemay.be operated independently of the other so-as Y 'selactively"` toYactuate either of the jaclcunits.V vll" desired toV elevate both ends'of'a car or vehicle simultaneously, then the valves 7i? 118 areoperated simultaneous- Y ly..V However, the jacl:

Further, if it is desired to move the'jack assembly Vfrom one bay of agarage or service station to another,VY Y

usually it isV onlynecessary todisconnect the inlet port 72 ofthe f jackunit from the airV pressure hose. Then, when the jackl is positionedasdesiredV in another loca4 tion within the garageJhe inlet port 72 may beconnected to'thesame or another'air pressure hose.

inasmuch as the jack assembly 19 is provided with casters 24! andrZadjacent opposite ends thereof, the jack. assembly may be moved readilyeither without a vehicle thereon or, to a limited` extent, the. jacl:also may ibe moved while supporting either one or both ends ofa vehicle.-Such movement of course will be restricted .somewhat by the air hosevorY other fluid conductor to member 122 of the frame of the vehicle 120.A fragmentary portion of the rear portion of the side frame members 57are shown in Figs. 6 and 7. M

The jack assembly 1@ also preferably includes safety latching mechanismfor both jack units 30 and 32. Exemplary safety mechanism constructed inaccordance with the principlesof the present invention are illustratedbest in Figs. 2 and 9. The specific forms of exemplary safetymechanism'illustrated in these figures comprise an elongated shaft '124swhich preferably is of a suitable geometric shape in `cross-section suchas square;

Further, guide member 12S, comprising a bracket fixed to one of the sidemembers 78 of the auxiliary frame which supports the front jack unit 32,facilitates the proper positioning of the shaft 124- relative to saidaux iliary frame the latter positioned variably longitudinally'of themain frame of Vthe assembly. 1t).

Surrounding shaft 124 and telescopically movable therewith isi acomplementary sleeve 130 which, thoughY movable longitudinallyrelativeto shaft 124, is rotatable therewith due to the complementarycross-sectional shape thereof which, in the specific illustration, issquare. The

sleeve 134i is rotatably supported by the cross-membersY 89 and 82 ofsaid auxiliary frame, whereby the sleeve 139 is movable longitudinallyof the assembly 10 with the said auxiliary frame. Fixed to the sleeve130 and'movable therewith is a latch 132 preferably providedwith a camming surface extending longitudinally thereof. and terminating in alatching shoulder which extends vertically The. shaft 124 is mounted ina `bearing inthe forward portion of the frame and also bearing 126 incross-membery 2t).

upward forrengagement with a suitable member of the length of thecamming surface and dropsbehind therear-fl ward vertical orhighestshoulder'- ofthe latch. When-the crossehead and latchl are-thusarranged'v in llatching position, even though' the air-` pressurewithinrthe Vcylinderlftii should! fail or decrease, fthe' links'88andl94-oftheffront jack unit can not' move to their depressed oriinoperative position and willY support the shoex102 andthe Vvehiclevframe p'orltionfV resting thereon'- in elevated position. l

The-safety' mechanism of Vthe/present inventionlalso Y' includesVelongatedA shaft 134-' which may bei-cylindrical iffdesirod, -tlie'samebeing pivotally supported adjacentl its ends in a manner! V similar .toshaft 124 and substanfv tially is parallel thereto.'l AnotherV bearing-136 isprovidedr in cross-membert) to `support al p'ortion of said member29,' said Vears respectively Ybeing'hi-lxed Yto Ysaid shafts and a'tension spring-140IisV connected tothe upper ends of saidfears..l Y

Also xed'to. and projecting laterally from the shafts 1245 andl'areoperating'handles 142 which preferably are positioned; adjacent theforward end of the jack asf sembly so as to be convenient to an operatorwhile'm'a nipulating controlr valves '70 and 118. lf desired,rstops ventexcessive movement thereof.

the action of spring 140, so as to remove the cam4 132 from itslatchingA or operative position relative to the`{ When such movementofthe front jackA cross-head 108. unit is desired, control valve 118also is manipulated to permit the fluid under pressure within cylinder184' to' escape and the weight of the vehicle as welll asthe jack unitmember per se will be sufficient to cause Vsaid jack' unit to move toits inoperative position.

Fixed to the portionof shaft 132 whichproje'cts rear-Y wardly fromcross-member 20 is a latch 146 whichlpref'-v erably is engageable withthe sleeve 38 comprising part*ir Y Y of rear jackV unit 30. Either saidportion of the shaftv 134 which lextends rearwardly from cross-member20'- may be bent laterally or said portion of said shaft may besufficiently flexible that the cam 146 may be depressedy while thesleeve 38 is moving rearwardly in jack elevating direction so that, whenthe sleeve 38 has cleared latch 146, the latch will automatically berestored to its latching'position illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein it willprevent forw rd or depressing movement of sleeve 38 of said rear jackunit` When it is desired to permit therear jack unit to move ytoits'inoperative or depressed position, it is only necessary tomanipulate handle 140 in clockwise direction as' viewed in Fig. 9 so asto move the latch 146 from a posi- Vtion in which it obstructs suchmovement of sleeve 38.

Valve 70 also is operated to permit the fluid under pres'- sure incylinders V66 to be released. After Vsleeve 38 has y moved forwardlypast latch 146 while the rear jack'unit' is being depressed, handle 142may be released andispring 140 will restore latch 146 to its normal oroperative` position. Y

From the. foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa portable jack assembly Ycompris'ing relatively adjustable front andrear jack units which areY engageable with theV frame portions of avehicle so asV to permit free gravity suspension of theV axles andwheels Such suspension' of the axles and' .wheelsf the preferablycentral portion of the front frame member 122 of the vehicle frame, theother jack unit having laterally extendableY or adjustable auxiliarysupporting members 521 which engage-zl preferably the rearward' por-ftions of the side frame members of the vehicle frame. rhus, the frame ofthe vehicle is provided with a threepoint suspension which affordsstabilityto the vehicle while supported, yet permits all of the axlesand Wheels of the vehicle to be freely suspended in such a manner thatthey may assume their lowermost natural position. When in such position,the wheels will substantially be clear of the skirted fenders so as topermit the wheels to be accessible for any desired work which isrequired either upon the wheels, the fenders, or any other normallyinaccessible portions of the vehicle which are rendered readilyaccessible when the wheels and axles are moved to their loweredposition.

The several jack units of the entire jack assembly readily are operableby any suitable fluid under pressure such as air which is readilyaccessible in garages, service stations and the like. Further, when thejack units are in elevated positions, latches operate to preventaccidental lowering of said units.

While the invention has been shown and illustrated in its preferredembodiment, and has included certain details, it should be understoodthat the invention is not to be limited to the precise details hereinillustrated and described since the same may be carried out in otherAways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

l claim:

l. A vehicle jack assembly comprising in combination, an elongated frameincluding side members and arranged to be positioned longitudinallybeneath a vehicle and narrower than the vehicle so as to be positionablebetween the wheels thereof, means portably supporting said jackassembly, a rear jack unit supported by said frame and including a pairof vehicle frame engageable members extending transversely to the axisof said jack frame and spaced apart laterally of said frame sufficientlyto engage respectively when elevated the rearward portions of the sideframe members of a vehicle, an auxiliary frame narrower than saidelongated frame and supported thereby for longitudinal movement therein,a front jack unit supported by said auxiliary frame and including avehicle frame engageable member positioned substantially intermediatelybetween the sides of said auxiliary frame and positionable when elevatedto engage an intermediate portion of the front frame member of avehicle, means positioned between said auxiliary frame and said sidemembers of said elongated frame and operable to elevate said frameengageable members of said rear jack unit into engagement with said sideframe members of a vehicle, additional means operable to elevate theframe engageable member of said front jack unit into engagement withsaid front frame member as aforesaid, whereby said frame engageablemembers of said jack units engage said vehicle frame at triangularlyarranged positions, thereby to elevate said vehicle by engaging saidframe only so as to permit the axles and wheels of said vehicle tosuspend freely downward from said vehicle frame.

2. The jack assembly set forth in claim 1 further includinglongitudinally extending and parallel guide channels positioned inwardlyfrom the side members of said elongated frame and extending from one endof said elongated frame toward the other end thereof, and supporting andguide rollers on said auxiliary frame adjacent opposite ends thereof andprojecting from opposite sides thereof, said rollers being disposed insaid guide channels to support said auxiliary frame and jack unitthereof for adjustable movement lengthwise of said longitudinal frameand relative to said rear jack unit.

3. The vehicle jack assembly set forth in claim 2 further including across-member extending between and fixed to the side members of saidelongated frame intermediately of the ends thereof and one end of eachof said guide channels being connected thereto for support thereby.

4. The vehicle jacl: assembly set forth in claim 1 fur- 16 therincluding a cross-member extending between and fixed to the side membersof said elongated frame intermediately of the ends thereof, and theelevating means for said rear jack unit comprisingV fluid operatedcylinder and piston units, said units being supported by saidcross-member and interconnected to said rear jack unit.

5. The vehicle jack assembly set forth in claim l furl thercharacterized by said additional means to elevate said front jack unitcomprising a iluid operated cylinder and piston unit mountedlongitudinally between the sides of said auxiliary frame and movabletherewith relative to said elongated frame.

6. The vehicle jack assembly set forth in claim 1 further charactelizedby said jack units comprising togglelike members and means pivotallyconnecting one end of each member for elevation of said ends into aA-shaped arrangement, the apex portions of said units supporting vehicleframe engaging and supporting members and the elevating means for saidjack units being interconnected to the other end of one of saidtoggle-like members of each jack unit to move said other endlongitudinally relative to said elongated frame and thereby raise andlower said vehicle frame engaging and supporting members, in combinationwith manually operated safety latch means movably supported by saidelongated frame for movement between operative and inoperative positionsand operable when in operative position to be engaged by said other endof said one toggle-like member of each unit when said units are invehicle supporting position and prevent movement of said units from saidposition until said latch means have been moved to inoperative position.

7. The vehicle jack assembly set forth in claim 6 further characterizedby said safety latch means comprising rod means extending longitudinallyof said elongated frame and projections extending transversely therefromengageable with said other end of said one toggle-like member of eachunit, said rod means being supported for axial rotation betweenoperative and inoperative positions of said projections thereon.

S. A vehicle jack assembly comprising in combination, a portableelongated frame including spaced side members arranged to be positionedlongitudinally beneath a vehicle and narrower than the vehicle so as tobe positionable between the wheels thereof, a rst jack unit supported bysaid frame and including a pair of vehicle frame engageable membersextending transversely to the axis of said jack frame and spaced apartlaterally thereof sufficiently to engage respectively when elevated theside frame members of a vehicle, a cross-member extending between andfixed to said side members of said frame intermediately of the endsthereof, a pair of spaced elongated parallel guide channels extendinglongitudinally of said frame between one end thereof and saidcrossmember and fixed thereto to be supported thereby, said guidechannels being between the side members of said frame, a second jackunit supported by said guide channels for adjustment longitudinallythereof and including a vehicle frame engageable member positionedsubstantially intermediately between the sides of said front jack unitand positionable when elevated to engage an intermediate portion of across-frame member of a vehicle, fluid pressure actuated operating meanscomprising a pair of cyiinc'ers respectively xed between said guidechannels and side members of said frame and piston rods connected tosaid first jack unit to operate the same, and additionai fluid pressureactuated means carried by said second jack unit and comprising acylinder and piston connected to said second jack unit to operate thesame and adjustable therewith relative to said frame, said iiuidpressure actuated means being operable independently to move the frameengageable members of said jack units into engagement with the 'ame of avehicle at triangularly arranged positions, thereby to elevate saidvehicle by engaging the frame thereof only and permit the axles andwheels of fcle frame. j Y,

saidV vehicletof suspend; freely' downward from said vehi- Y 9. Avehicle 'jack assemblyfcomprisingin combination; an elongated-frameVarrznged to 'be positioned longitudinally beneath a vehicle andnarrower thanf'thevehicle so 'as to be positionable between the YWheelsthereof, a jack unit supported by said frame'andextendingltransverselyto said frame' andcompn'sing a Apa'irfof"members Y hingedly connected'atone end of each, 'Saidrne'mbers having'notches extendingy inwardA fromItl1e"hinge;lly con- Y nectedends thereof `toprovide projections andsaid hinge meansrcornprising Vtubular means axially Aalignedand,

fixed' respectively to said projectionsjof said members, a pair of'elongated vehicle' frame fengageable pintle nmemberslongitudinallyjslidable Within 'andf supported respectively`bysaida'lignedtubular means'and adjustable longi tudinally of saidjacknnit in jopposite ydirections Vtransversely of saidjelongated'frame, theinner-ends ofwsaid Y Vpintle members "being'movable intoythespacei-b'etwe'en said projections Yori-said 'notchedmembers andthevouter 4ends of said pintle members being projectable fronrsai'dprojections beyond the transverse ends `of saidjack unit sufficiently'to engage respectivelywvhen the iack unit is elevated' the side framemembers of La'vehicle, where- Y by'said'pintle Vmembers hingedly connectsaid members of said Ajack unit in any longitudinal position of' saidpintles, and means operable'to elevatesaid frame engageaolepintlejmembers of said jack unit by relative pivotal movement ofsaidmembers of said jack'untinto'A-shaped arrangement to efiect' engagementofthe outer Yends VYof said pintles with'the frame of a vehicle,'therebyto elevate Vsaid vehicle by engaging said frame only soV as top'erniitthe aisle and Wheels of said,vehicle toY suspend freely Y downward fromsaidk vehicle vframe.

10. The jack Vassembly set forth 4in claimy'9 further characterized bysaid pintle members being cylindrical rods having 'means on the outerends vthereof engageable manually to elfectV axial movement thereof relaf tive 'to said tubular means receiving the same.

V711. V'IheV-ja'czk Lassembly/set Lforth in 'claim 1 furthercharacterized byc'saidfrearjack unit comprising-pairstof links, eachpairbeing` pivotally fconnected together' at one endfandsaidpairs'respectively being positioned adjacent-each"sidev member offsaid`elongated framefa bracingi plate extending transversely-of 'saidframe-between None link of each-pair jand ,'connectecll thereto 'tobracethe Vsame against transverse movementganda pair of vehicle Aframeengageablenrembers spaced'apart and carried respectively byv said pairsofflinksadjacent the pivotallj,t connected endsv thereof.

' l2.V The'jack assembly :setforth'in .claim 1l further`V characterizedby said plate having a` notch Yextending inward from 'the edge thereofnearest' the 'pivoted'axis of Y saidY links 'to provide'clearanee fornism'of the Vehicle. A

Y 13. The jack "assembly setfforth includinga' tubularwmernber "fixedftothe lower' edge/of said plate considered relativeto thevelevated,Vpositions of'saidfplate, an axle textendng'through said "tubular member,andjsupporting rollers carried"by"said"axle adjacentopposite ends'thereof.V

YReferences Cited in theffile of this patentV Tzschoppe Mar. 22, -195 5

